4-Day Itinerary: A Long Weekend Group Trip to Mexico City

Touch down in Mexico City and make your way to your accommodations. As golden hour approaches, head to the Frida Kahlo Museum, where the art and life of the iconic Frida Kahlo serves as a fitting welcome for your first day in Mexico City. The museum's grounds and collection offer a glimpse into Frida's life and how her artistry and legacy still influence the city today.

After your tour, take a stroll through the colorful streets of Coyoacan. Pop into some market stalls, or perhaps settle into a homey cafe or restaurant where you and your friends can properly catch up.

After dinner and a hotel pit stop, get ready for a special yet chill evening at some of the city's exciting cocktail bars and speakeasies. We visited a couple of the most popular spots. At Handshake, we were greeted with a lively ambiance to get our energy going. As the night deepens, find yourself in a dimly lit booth at Hanky Panky. Finding this speakeasy takes a bit of detective work, but you’ll be glad you came. Order from the bar’s rotation of elaborate, signature cocktails and let the conversations flow.

Tips

If you're as keen as we were to explore this bustling city, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Season matters: Consider planning your trip during the fall or spring, when the weather is a bit milder. There was still plenty of heat during the day in our early October trip, but breezy evenings and some drizzles kept things bearable.

• Pack some pesos: While many places accept credit cards, you'll still need to carry some cash - particularly for street food and markets.

• Altitude and air quality: Mexico City is perched nearly 7,300 feet above sea level. That means you can expect to feel out of breath more quickly and easily than what you’re used to. The higher altitude and poorer air quality can also pose an issue for those with respiratory sensitivities, so pack and prepare accordingly.

Spend the afternoon sightseeing and exploring the tapestry of Mexican history. Fortunately, many of the city's iconic museums are located near or within the vast expanse of the Bosque de Chapultepec, one of North America's largest urban parks.

At the vast Museo de Antropologia, you can immerse yourself in the beautiful tapestry of Mexico's deep history. For a taste of modern and contemporary Mexican art, The Museo de Arte Moderno and Museo Tamayo won't disappoint.

After exploring the many museums and winding paths in the park, make the uphill trek to the Castillo de Chapultepec. The reward? Breathtaking vistas and a dive into Mexico’s regal past.

After a long day of sightseeing, indulge in a special dining experience. Months before we even booked our flights, we knew our flagship dinner would be none other than the culinary wonder of Pujol. Nestled in the Polanco neighborhood, Pujol has consistently been named among the top restaurants in Mexico for good reason — expect a thoughtfully composed menu that highlights Mexican flavors with a modern twist. My friends and I still think about the two-thousand-day aged mole.

Some of my favorite parts of our trip were the unstructured mornings spent walking through Mexico City's many charming neighborhoods. Set aside some time in your itinerary to explore the signature narrow streets of Juarez, and enjoy the neighborhood’s vast collection of cafes and boutiques — from designer labels to vintage finds. One of my friends had long been wanting to try Masala y Maiz, and thankfully snagged us a lunch reservation. Savor the innovative blend of Mexican and South Asian flavors, from ginger and turmeric esquites to the sublime masala prawns.

After your post-lunch walk, spend the afternoon taking in art and history. The stunning, art-deco Palacio de Bellas Artes houses legendary murals by Diego Rivera, and galleries showcasing works from Mexico's most celebrated painters.

For more history, visit the Palacio Nacional and Templo Mayor, witnessing the grandeur of Mexico's past.

As the sun sets, get ready for an exciting night out. No matter what type of music or scene you're into you're bound to have a great time in one of Mexico City's many lively bars and clubs. We started our night at the legendary Taquerias Orinoco before dancing our way through the many lively bars in Zona Rosa. As expected, we ended the night with another visit to Taqueria Orinoco.

Poor weather led us to use our last full day in CDMX to revisit our favorite spots, take in more contemporary art at the Museo Jumex and explore Polanco, but you should consider using your fourth day as we had originally planned:

Grab a quick breakfast before beginning your day trip to the historic Teotihuacán. Whether you opt for a guided tour, private car or public transport, the awe-inspiring structures are not to be missed.

Wander around the ancient pyramids, visit the museum for fascinating insights into artifacts and ruins, and soak up views of Mexico City. After lunch and your visit to the pyramids, head back to the city and rest up.

For our last supper, we lucked into a walk-in table at Contramar. Try your best to secure a reservation, but if you're unsuccessful, you may find luck towards the end of the evening like we did! With tantalizing seafood and exquisite wine after a long day, our meal was the perfect coda to an unforgettable trip.

As our long weekend drew to a close, Mexico City had woven its way into our hearts. The streets, flavors, history and most importantly, the shared memories with friends made this long weekend spectacular. We boarded our flights home, carrying many stories (and souvenirs) as we looked ahead to our next visit.